Skip to content
This week at FMC

THIS WEEK @ FMC – November 27-December 3, 2024

Happy New Year!  I do realize January 1, 2025 is over a month away.  However, in the church liturgical year, this week marks the beginning of a new year. Traditionally, the Sunday drawing the church year to a close (the Sunday before Advent begins) is observed as Christ the King Sunday.  Themes for this Sunday include acknowledging Jesus as sovereign over all of creation and as

establishing his kingdom through his teaching, life, death and resurrection.  In addition, on this Sunday we acknowledge, as one site put it: “Jesus is more powerful than any earthly ruler because His kingdom is one of everlasting love.”

With many other powers constantly vying for our attention, loyalty, and allegiance, perhaps at least one Sunday during the year reminding us of the radical servant and suffering nature of Christ’s power and authority is something we should consider.  Our new hymnal includes a hymn perfect for such a Sunday (VT 410):

Christ is King! Let Earthly Powers  (text written by Sylvia G. Dustan. 1991)

Christ is King! Let earthly powers, wealth, dominion, state, and crown,

here before the Servant Savior praise and worship and kneel down.

Jesus reigns, a cross exalts him; suff’ring is the royal gown.

Christ the King! O saints, be joyful; grace and justice will be shown,

weakness lifted into glory, pride and greed cast from their throne.

Jesus reigns, the once rejected has become the Cornerstone.

Christ is King! Death’s pow’r is ended; now there is no need for fear.

Love and love alone redeems us, wipes away our guilt and tears.

Jesus reigns, the Lamb once slaughtered in abundant life appears.

As we turn the page of a new church year, we enter the season of Advent to wait and listen with anticipation for Christ to be birthed anew in our lives and in the world.  He comes not through violence, domination and political might, but in the humility and vulnerability of a baby, in a stable, in a place no one would have thought to look for the Savior of the World.

“Christ has said ‘I am the Way,’ and He has been there in every generation,

blowing with the Divine Breath of the Spirit on that little flame of life.

He is the Way, but He is not limited as we are:

He can manifest Himself in countless ways we do not dream of.

He can will to live in lives of suffering and darkness we cannot conceive of;

He can choose what seems to us the most unlikely material in the world

to use for a positive miracle of His love.”

(Caryll Houselander. The Reed of God)

—Pastor Tonya

SUNDAY MORNING WORSHIP at 9:30am 

The link to join is on our website: www.hutchfmc.org  Join 5 minutes early for announcements.  The bulletin can be found under the BULLETINS tab on our home page. 

SUNDAY, DECEMBER 1, 2024 – WORDS FOR THE BEGINNING: You are a Blessing

Luke 1:26-38; Isaiah 43:1-7

Mary is described as “blessed among women” (Luke 1:28). She is neither wealthy nor powerful, and yet she is chosen to bear God’s child. Her story begins with blessedness, and so does ours, for the prophet Isaiah declares that we are claimed by a God who calls our name. We are a blessing because we belong to God. When blessedness is our beginning, we begin to see the world—and others—through the eyes of a God who says: “You are precious in my sight” (Isaiah 43:4).

  • Preacher: Pastor Tonya Ramer Wenger
  • Worship Leader: Jon Miller
  • Song Leader: Shane Miller
  • Children’s Time: Bonnie Swenson
  • Scripture Reader: Hilda Iwashige & Lucia Iwashige
  • Pianist: Peggy Stucky
  • Ushers: Jay & Stephanie Gehring
  • Nursery Attendant: Diane Ziemer
  • Sound Tech: Earl Ediger
  • Live Stream Tech: Jonathan Wenger

SHARING JOYS & CONCERNS

During each worship service, you are invited to text your prayer joys and concerns – usually to Pastor Tonya.  You are also invited to send prayer joys & concerns during the week. The recording of our worship service is public, so let us know if you’d prefer your request to only be shared via email during the week.  

ANNOUNCEMENTS

Announcements are scrolled Sunday mornings before and after worship.  There will be no spoken announcements unless there are pressing announcements that did not make it into the PowerPoint. Please send any announcements you’d like to have included to the church office by Thursday each week. 

OFFERINGS

We welcome, and are grateful for, your financial donations to our ministry here in Hutchinson.  Instead of collecting an offering during worship (except on special occasions), an offering box is placed at the back of the sanctuary for your Sunday morning donations.  You can also now make a donation directly from our website (www.hutchfmc.org) using a credit card or your banking account.  You are also welcome to send a check to 52 Rambler Rd Hutchinson KS 67502. 

CALENDAR – LOOKING AHEAD

  • December 1 – First Sunday of Advent
  • December 8 – FMC Annual Meeting & Youth Fundraiser Silent Auction & Lunch
  • December 15 – Service of Nine Lessons and Carols – music from adult and children’s choirs, Bible readings
  • December 21 – 6pm Longest Night Service (for the weary and grieving); 6:45pm soup dinner; and 7:30pm Christmas Caroling in the church neighborhood

REMINDER:  If you are last one out of the church building, be SURE the doors lock behind you.

DEEPENING in Christ…

PRAYER GROUPS

A Prayer group meets Thursday mornings from 10-11am in the Prayer Room.  All are welcome. 

A small ecumenical Centering Prayer group meets on Thursdays (in person @ FMC) from 12:30-1:30pm.  If you’d like to learn more, contact Pastor Tonya.    

LPC: Listening-Prayer-Conversation Groups

These groups meet for an hour once/month in the Common Grounds room and are facilitated by Pastor Tonya.  The format allows for time in prayer by yourself and also with the group.  Any are welcome to join, or to just come and check it out! It’s also possible to join on Zoom if you prefer.

The Tuesday group next meeting Tuesday, December 10 at 1:00pm

The Wednesday evening group next meeting is at 6:30 on Wednesday December 11

SUNDAY SCHOOL – WINTER QUARTER begins December 1

Please join us for Sunday school

  • Preschool through 4th grade meet in the basement Sunday School wing.
  • 5th grade-8th grade meet upstairs in the Junior Youth room
  • Senior Youth (9th-12th) meet upstairs in the Youth room

Adults:

  • The Adult Discussion Class and the Salt & Light Bible Study classes will join together for this quarter (December-February) to engage the Salt & Light study that coincides with the 500th anniversary of anabaptism. The class will meet in fellowship hall with Zoom option available.
  • Connection & Conversation meets in the library – Childcare for infants & toddlers is available in the nursery most Sundays.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS 2024 – WORDS FOR THE BEGINNING

“Advent is a season of endings and beginnings. As the calendar year comes to a close, a new church year rushes in. Christ’s birth ushers us into new ways of living and loving—and yet, we feel the weight of many things coming to an end. The world as we know it spins madly on. What are the reminders we will need in order to move faithfully through this threshold?  … In many ways, pregnant Mary was surrounded by endings—large and small, personal and political. And yet, Mary proclaimed hope in a God who was and is making all things new. As we also move through new personal and political chapters, may these words for the beginning renew us and remind us of the ways we are called to live out our faith. No matter what you are facing, no matter what this new day brings, let love be your beginning.   © sanctified art | sanctifiedart.org

  • Dec 1 – Advent 1: Words for the Beginning – You are a Blessing
  • Dec 8 – Advent 2: Words for the Beginning – We Can’t Go Alone (FMC Annual Meeting)
  • Dec 15 – Advent 3: (Lessons & Carols) Words for the Beginning – Do the Good That Is Yours to Do
  • Dec 21 – 6:00pm Longest Night Service (6:45pm Soup Dinner; 7:30pm Christmas Caroling)
  • Dec 22 – Advent 4: Words for the Beginning – Hope is Worth the Risk
  • Dec 24 – Christmas Eve: Words for the Beginning – Love Knows Your Name
  • Dec 29 – First Sunday after Christmas: Words for the Beginning – Don’t Forget to Laugh
  • Jan 5 – Epiphany: Words for the Beginning – The Road Isn’t Straight (with Star Words)

An Advent Devotional (with poetry, artwork, and questions for journaling) is available in the foyer, along with an Advent Calendar to color and discuss – especially for children, but really for anyone!

LONGEST NIGHT SERVICE – SOUP DINNER – CHRISTMAS CAROLING

On the longest night of the year (Dec 21) we gather to create space to grieve and acknowledge our weariness and despair.  We do this through song, prayer and scripture in a Longest Night Service, which will be held at 6:00pm on Saturday December 21.  Following this short service, we’ll gather in the basement fellowship hall for a simple soup dinner beginning around 6:45pm, followed by Christmas caroling in the church neighborhood at 7:30pm, weather permitting.  Come for all or part of the evening.  We will plan to livestream the Longest Night Service.

Would you be willing to bring a crockpot of soup for our shared meal that evening? If so, talk with Pastor Tonya, who is looking for a few people to help in this way.  Everyone is invited to bring finger food (sweet or savory) to enjoy after Christmas Caroling.  And, if someone would like to volunteer to make hot cocoa for the group, that would be amazing.

WESTERN DISTRICT RESOURCE LIBRARY . . . new digital resources available

The WDC Resource Library is now providing the CloudLibrary app for ebooks and audiobooks. You can also stream Bible studies and kids’ videos through StudyGateway via their group subscription. You will need a WDC Resource Library card and you will find a library card request form through their online card catalog here. Learn more about accessing these resources at https://mennowdc.org/library/ or contact Jennie (the librarian) at crlib@mennowdc.org  Check with the church office if you need assistance.

UPPER ROOM and REJOICE! devotional magazines

  • UPPER ROOM – The November-December issue is available above the mailboxes.
  • Rejoice! – December-February issue is now available

STRENGTHENING Community Connections…

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS

  • Tuesday and Thursday 9:00am – 2:00pm
  • Wednesday 10:00am – 1:00pm

PASTOR TONYA’S HOURS/SCHEDULE

Office hours:

  • Monday: Day Off
  • Tuesday-Friday: generally working 8:00am-5:30pm 
  • “In Office” Hours:  9-2 Tuesday and Thursday; no office hours Wed Nov 27 or Thu Nov 28.
  • Available other times by appointment.
  • Available evenings and weekends (cell phone is most reliable)

Upcoming “Day Apart with God” dates (for silence, reading, prayer & journaling – will NOT be checking email or responding to texts/calls (except for emergencies). Next “Day Apart” is Wednesday November 27.

Pastor Tonya’s Sabbatical dates (spread out between summer 2023-summer 2025)

Pastor Tonya has joined a study program called, “Transforming Community.” Retreats take place in Chicago. Her next scheduled retreat is December 15-18.

LOST & FOUND BOX

A Lost & Found Box has been placed above the mailboxes. If you have left a small item behind, please check the box and claim it. Jackets will be hung on the coat rack by the drinking fountains.

FMC LEADS WORSHIP at MENNONITE FRIENDSHIP COMMUNITIES (mfc) on December 8

Members of the Mentors and Mentees program will lead the Sunday worship service in the chapel at mfc at 10:00am. Please pray for these mentees, Lucia Iwashige, Joanna Wenger, Arwen Iwashige, and Oliva Buttler, together with their mentors, Joyce Lindenberger, Jean Gaeddert and Pauline Buller as they prepare.

ARMS WIDE OPEN – FMC’s history book

The amazing story of First Mennonite Church’s 100 years is told in the history book prepared for our centennial celebration. Copies of the book are available for $25.00 (cash or check). You can also purchase a book online at a price that includes the cost of shipping (click on the “DONATE” button on our website to find this option).   Check with the church office to pick up a book.

STRETCHING to Serve as Christ Served…

SUNDAY MORNING DONATIONS FOR RENO COUNTY FOOD BANK:  

December: Pasta

Personal care/hygiene items such as these are appreciated anytime: toilet paper, laundry detergent, bath soap, Kleenex, deodorant, disposable razors, paper towels, shampoo, dish soap, hand/body lotion, toothpaste and toothbrushes.  Travel size – new & unopened – are desirable.

FMC AT THE SOUP KITCHEN

Thank you for your generosity in sharing your gifts to serve at the Soup Kitchen on November 23.

CHRISTMAS GIVING OPPORTUNITIES

The Spirit of Christmas inspires compassion and generosity. Here are invitations to share joy and hope through our local and global communities who minister to needs around us:

  • MCC Infant Care Bundles are distributed around the world to families whose lives have been disrupted by conflict and natural disaster. The bundles have been prepared and two sample bundles are on display in the foyer. Your donation of $25 covers the cost of one bundle. Place your contributions (checks payable to FMC) in the offering box at the back of the sanctuary, designated for Infant Care Bundles. Our bundles will be dedicated on Christmas Eve and then taken to the MCC Center in North Newton.
  • Give Joy Christmas Drive for YOUTHRIVE participants
  • YOUTHRIVE is collecting gifts to brighten the holidays for young adults and teens who have aged out of foster care. Often forgotten, most of these youth will not be receiving any gifts for the holiday season and most often spend this time of year struggling with loneliness. There will be a box in the FMC foyer next to the drinking fountain from Sunday, December 1 through Sunday, December 15. Please consider contributing items such as:
    • Gift cards (retail, groceries, restaurants, coffee)
    • Personal care products (soaps, nail polish, skin care, grooming kits)
    • Hoodies, socks, slippers, hats and gloves
    • Books, journals or art supplies
    • Baked goods and holiday cards
    • Toys (we have a couple of young moms in our programs this year)
    • Monetary donations may also be given to YOUTHRIVE

Please wrap your gift and also put the contents of your gift on a sticky note on the present. The YOUTHRIVE director will be able to match up the gifts to the recipients. Thank you!!

  • Hats, mittens and socks to be donated to the Salvation Army may be hung on the tree in the foyer. Watch for it near the north entrance in the next week or two. Deadline for donations is December 15.

DECEMBER 31 is GIVING TUESDAY

Giving Tuesday is the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. It is touted as the “global generosity movement unleashing the power of people and organization to transform their communities and the world. . . . GivingTuesday is invested in communities around the globe with a mandate to propel generosity across every culture, continent, and context.” (© GivingTuesday)

Take a moment to note those non-profits in our community and in our wider Anabaptist world that invite our support on Giving Tuesday 2024. Here are a few, with their links to make contributions:

  • Camp Mennoscah. Online at campmennoscah.org “Donate Here” button or send to Camp.
  • The Great Menno Give (Mennonite Church USA, Mennonite Mission Network, MennoMedia, Mennonite Education Agency, Church Planting, Mennonite World Conference and others.   Great Menno Give here.
  • Interfaith Housing & Community Services – donate online here 

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BRASS CONCERT to support GOESSEL MINISTERIAL ALLIANCE

The Annual Christmas Brass Concert will be held at the Alexanderwohl Mennonite Church, Sun. evening at 7:00pm Dec. 8. Come join a Great Evening of Brass Music with the McPherson Brass and the Goessel Elbiata Singers as well as enjoying audience participation in singing of familiar Christmas Carols. A free will offering with support the ministries of the Goessel Ministerial Alliance. 1304 K KS-15, Goessel, KS

CAMP MENNOSCAH announcements

Camp Mennoscah is holding a fundraiser to support the many aspects of camping ministry on December 14th at 5:30pm! Reserve your tasty verenike casserole meal here!  The meal consists of verenike casserole, seasoned green beans, zweiback, and fruit crisp.  Camp feeds your soul and this favorite youth camp meal will feed your belly! Meals will be available for pick up or eat in on Saturday, December 14, at Faith Mennonite Church between 5:30 – 6:30pm.  Call 620-297-3290 with questions.  Get ready for the last busy days before Christmas with a meal you didn’t have to prepare!

There are currently materials on hand for 18 of 35 projects remaining on the HVAC renovation at the Retreat Center.  Work groups can be of any size (within reason).  Contact Isaac at 316-217-5626 or Olivia at 316-293-7313 to set up a time for you or your group.  If you are interested in working on a weekend, advance notice of two weeks is needed.  A lack of construction skills should not keep you from helping.  Willing hands and the ability to follow directions are the only requirements. (Activities for those under 18 are limited and likely not at the Retreat Center.)  

MENNONITE CENTRAL COMMITTEE (MCC) announcements

MCC Open House, Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 2pm-4pm. All are welcome to come see the updated space at MCC Central States in North Newton. Bring your Christmas shopping list to get your alternative Christmas gifts purchased from our tree! Visit with MCC staff, get a tour while you enjoy some snacks. We can’t wait to see you at the Open House, 121 E. 30th St, North Newton! mcc.org/open-house

Giving Tuesday at MCC, Tuesday, Dec. 3 from 6:30pm-8pm. We’re excited to host this annual evening of service to kick off your holiday season! This all-ages event is focused on service and fellowship. Please bring new dark colored hand towels with you – the more you bring, the more hygiene kits we can pack! There will be Christmas cards to write in and comforters to tie AND snacks to enjoy. What a great way to give back on Giving Tuesday! mcc.org/giving-tuesday

Yule love this! Join us for a live, online event on December 3, at 11:00 AM CST/10:00 AM MST as we take you behind the scenes of MCC’s Christmas Giving Guide. Discover the impact behind each gift and how your generosity makes a difference. Learn more and register to join this event at mcc.org/yule-love-this.

MCC Borderlands Peace Camp, Jan. 19-25, 2025 Young adults, ages 18-30, are invited to join MCC in El Paso, TX and Ciudad Juarez, Mexico in January! This MCC Peace Camp will explore topics of peace and justice through the lens of migration, including the Biblical mandate of hospitality. Find out more and register by January 5 at mcc.org/borderlands-peace-camp.

Serving And Learning Together (SALT) applications now open for 2025! Each year, MCC offers 80+ unique opportunities to serve with our local partners working for relief, development and peace around the world. Explore the numerous possibilities that match your passions, skills, and experience. If you’re between the ages of 18-30, the SALT program might be the epic adventure you’ve been waiting for. Check it out at mcc.org/salt!

Current needs in the material resources center in North Newton:

  • new infant sleepers (6-12 month sizes)
  • toothbrushes (in manufacturer’s packaging—no contact info.)
  • wide toothed combs (6-8 in. long)

You can shop online and have them shipped to MCC or drop them off in the donation room at MCC! These items are needed for infant care and relief kits. MCC Central States, 121 E. 30th St., North Newton, KS 67117 – thank you!

MENNONITE MISSION NETWORK . . . Just Peace Pilgrimage

Christ at the Borders in Calais, France – April 7-18, 2025.  Registration deadline: January 15, 2025

Cost: $2750, plus cost of airfare to and from Paris, France

Calais, France, is a migration hotspot that is relatively unknown to people in the United States. The situation in Calais bears striking resemblance to the dynamics at play at the United States-Mexico border. Thousands of people migrate to Calais in hopes of crossing the English Channel and entering the United Kingdom to find a better life. During this pilgrimage, you will interact with various organizations that are doing justice and relief work among the migrant population in Calais:

  • Project Play offers play therapy for children in refugee camps.
  • Refugee Women’s Center cares for women and children in refugee camps.
  • Maria Skobtsova House provides meals, prayers and a space for women and children to live.

You will experience crossing the English Channel, via ferry, and travel to London, England. There, you will meet with Peaceful Borders and learn about their advocacy work — from their beginnings in Calais to their present-day work in the United Kingdom. Details here: https://www.mennonitemission.net/serve/placements/christ-at-the-borders-in-calais-france/

WESTERN DISTRICT CONFERENCE announcements

WDC Staff position opening: Western District Conference seeks a half-time Program Director for WDC’s Kids Meet Christ (KMC) worship and faith formation initiative, beginning February 1, 2025. This program is made possible through Lilly Endowment Inc.’s Nurturing Children Through Worship and Prayer Initiative, designed to help congregations more fully and intentionally engage children in intergenerational corporate worship and prayer practices. The KMC Program Director will serve as a member of the WDC staff, collaborating with other staff and the Resource Commission to implement the KMC initiative over the 5-year grant period. For position description and application form, see https://mennowdc.org/employment/. Interested applicants please submit application form and letter of interest to the Conference Minister at heidirk@mennowdc.org.

Save the Date! The 2025 WDC Annual Assembly will be Aug 8-9, 2025 at Hesston Mennonite Church, Hesston, KS

BETHEL COLLEGE announcements

5 Places of Christmas – Bethel College Women’s Association fundraiser on December 7

All bakers and craft makers are invited to make items for 5 Places of Christmas to be held on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 10:00 – 3:00 at Goerz House, Bethel College. Bethel College Women’s Association will again be selling baked goods, candy, craft items and poinsettias. Your homemade cookies, zwiebach, cinnamon rolls, peppernuts and poppyseed rolls are always great sellers. This year we are especially asking for homemade candies such as fudge, peanut clusters, peanut butter balls and peanut brittle as well as other non-chocolate candies.  We are also looking for Christmas craft items to sell.  Please bring your items to Goerz House on Friday, December 6, from 2:00-5:00pm or on Saturday, Dec. 7, from 9:30-10:00am.  Thank you for your support of Bethel College.

Sun., Dec. 1 – Celebrate Museum Store Sunday at Kauffman Museum, 1:30-4:30 p.m. At 3 p.m., there will be a German Christmas singalong (Deutsche Weihnachtslieder) with William Eash, Merle Schlabaugh and Karen Bauman Schlabaugh In the museum auditorium. BYOP (bring your own peppernuts/pfeffernusse).

Tues., Dec. 3 – Bethel College Wind Ensemble, directed by Chris Miertschin, 7 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center

Weds., Dec. 4 – Singalong to Christmas portions of Handel’s Messiah, 11 a.m., with chamber orchestra and soloists, Bethel College Mennonite Church. Scores provided.

Thurs., Dec. 5 – Gala Jazz, directed by Chris Miertschin, 7:30 p.m., Krehbiel Auditorium in Luyken Fine Arts Center

Sun., Dec. 8 – 37th annual Lighting of the Green, 8 p.m. on the Bethel College campus

Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – “The Pandemic Portraits,” works by Nicholas Hill, through Dec. 6. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m. (closed for Thanksgiving break, Nov. 28-Dec. 1).

Now in the Regier Gallery in Luyken Fine Arts Center at Bethel College – “The Pandemic Portraits,” works by Nicholas Hill, through Dec. 7. Gallery hours are Mon.-Fri. 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 2-4 p.m.

50,000 MEALS TO BE PACKAGED! HOSTED BY BUHLER MENNONITE CHURCH and IDEA TEK

Your help is needed to help package 50,000 meals in one day on Saturday, December 7, with the first shift  9 a.m. until 11 a.m. and the second from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sand Hills Event Center in Hutchinson. Each meal will be used to address local food security by donation to local food banks. Job orientation is provided and no previous experience is needed! Information and sign up is at this link: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E0545AEAD2EA1F58-52438951-50000/74628959#/

ANABAPTIST MENNONITE BIBLICAL SEMINARY announcement

Interested in learning about how faith communities can counter political idolatry, radicalization and violent extremism? Take the next step: A video is now available of a public lecture given Oct. 8 by Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary Associate Professor Drew Strait, PhD, on “How to Challenge Christian Nationalism: Building Peace in an Age of Extremism.” Consider gathering a group to view and discuss the video together, and/or to discuss Drew’s book, Strange Worship: Six Steps for Challenging Christian Nationalism. It’s written as a handbook with discussion questions for use in small groups and with a call/response for use in congregations. Drew is also available to speak to your group or congregation, either in person or online. ambs.edu/christian-nationalism

MENNONITE DISASTER SERVICE (MDS) announcements

Our November edition of On the Level is now available. In this edition, learn about Bridging Together, a new partnership with Lutheran Disaster Response, read how hope is being renewed in Santa Cruz plus get all the details for the upcoming 75th Anniversary Celebration. Click on this link to read more: https://conta.cc/4fWz7HD

BORDERLINKS

The 2024-2025 BorderLinks Pláticas Series continues on December 12, with a Zoom event hosting Nadia Y Kim, author of Refusing Death: Immigrant Women and the Fight for Environmental Justce in LA. Register here https://www.borderlinks.org/events  for the 4:00pm (CST) event. As Tucsonans know well, matters of environmental and immigration justice are deeply intertwined, and this is true all around the country. Our movements have much to learn from one another and are made stronger by collaboration and solidarity.